Message From Loretta E. Lynch

Dear Members of the Syracuse University Community:

I write to share with you the report [PDF] that my team and I have drafted in connection with our independent review of the Syracuse University Department of Public Safety (DPS).

In our report [PDF], we review DPS’s conduct and performance with respect to the events of fall 2019 and spring 2020, including the investigation of bias-related incidents and the handling of protests on campus, along with its commitment to community policing more broadly. We make a number of recommendations that we believe would improve DPS’s relationship with the community. We also review and recommend changes to DPS policies and procedures to ensure they are consistent with best practices in community policing. Lastly, our report presents our final recommendations for the structure and procedures for the Community Review Board, which will further promote accountability for DPS.

We hope that the findings and recommendations in our report [PDF] will enable DPS and the campus community to achieve greater trust and partnership.

I would like to extend my thanks to the entire Syracuse University community for welcoming our review and to the many students, faculty, administrators and DPS officers and staff with whom we spoke for your candor and thoughtfulness in sharing your experiences, ideas and feedback with us. It was truly a pleasure to meet so many of you. I also wish to express my sincere appreciation to DPS and to the administration for the transparency and cooperative spirit with which they approached all aspects of our review.

Best regards,

The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch
Partner, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP